Counter actuating mechanism



Dec. 10, 1935. B, COHN 2,023,574

COUNTER ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORDec. 10, 1935. B. COHN COUNTER ACTUATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 3, 1933 INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

' UNITED? STA Patented Dec. 10, 1935 PATENT "OFFICE COUNTER ACTUATINGMECHANISM Benno Colin, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to-Ferdinand Gutmann'8: 00., New York, N. Y., a cor.-

poration of New York 1 Application May a, 1933, serial No. 669,117

14 Claims. .(01. 235-98) I practice notwithstanding that the price ofsuch "articles is based on gross or thousand lots, to till a. containertherewith and then arrive at an approximation of the number of articlesin the container by weighing the container and its contents. Suchclosure caps or similar articles have very little weight sothat thenumber packed in difl'erent containers may vary widely due 'to' theslight difierences in the weights of different closures, or widedifferences in the weights of different containers.

The selling price of bottle closures and like articles, in the packagingof which my invention is particularly designed for use, is low and sucharticles are used in very large numbers. therefore desirable that thenumber of caps delivered be known to correspond with the number forwhich'the purchaser is charged.

In the packaging of such caps after they are completely assembled andinspected, the common practice has been to deliver them directlyto thecontainer in which they are to be shipped to the consumer. The deliveryof the caps, while rapid,

is not in a continuous stream due at times to the functioning of theassembling machine, and at other times to a varying interval requiredfor inspection. v

' The individual caps have insuflicient weight to physically actuate acounting mechanism and the hand countingof such caps involves aprohibitive cost.

The machine of the invention embodies therein a progressively operativemechanical counter, there being associated with this counter acontinuously operating source of power, theoperative effect of whichupon the counter is deter mined by mechanisms controlled by succeedingcaps in their progress from the inspection ,table to the container inwhich they are to be packed. Because of the light weight 01' theindividual caps, and the irregularity in the movement of succeeding capstoward the container, I provide an electric circuit controllingmechanism actuated by the cap itself, and a mechanism control ling themovement of the caps while approaching said circuit controllingmechanism, for the purpose of 'afiording a time interval suflicient toensure the actuation of the counter mechanism. In this manner, themovement caps in such a rapid succession as to'preclude the operation ofItis the counter mechanism, with the passage of each cap in relation tothe electric circuit controlling mechanism, is prevented.

The mechanisms applying power to the counter and controlling theapplication of such power, are so constructed and arranged that in theevent of irregular spacing 0! caps, due to the clo ging of a deliverychute or other conveyor device or of the failure to keep the chute orother device properly filled, the actuation of the counter will beinterrupted until there has been a resumption of a proper feedingmovement of the caps.

Such mechanisms are also so constructed and arranged that if thedelivery chute or other device should be clogged while a cap isoperative in its relation to the electric control mechanism, no 1 powerwill be applied to the counter. In fact, the construction of the counteractuating mechanim and its controls is such that while each--cap,

as it approaches the point of its delivery to a container, causes theoperative connection of a 2 continuously operating source of power to acounter actuating mechanism, the counter is not fully actuated toregister the delivery of this cap until it has moved out of itsoperative relation to the electrical control mechanism actuated therebyand is about to pass into the container. This ensures absolute accuracyof the count of closures delivered to the container 'since any failureto deliver caps, or any irregularity in the timing of the delivery ofsaid caps will result in the interruption of the application of power tothe counter although immediatelyupon the re-' sumption of the properdelivery and the'proper timing of such caps there will be an automaticresumption of the application of power to the counter. g

To secure the above results, accuracy in the timing or the mechanismcontrolling the movement of the caps in relation to the electricalcontrol mechanism and of the electrically con- 4 trolled clutchmechanism connecting the source of power with the counter actuatingmechanism is required, although the construction and arrangement ofparts of the latter mechanism is such as to avoid the necessity for anygreat nicety in the timing arrangement. In .fact, the timing of themovement .01 the closure in relation to the electrical control mechanismactuated by the cap is determined by an electrical make and breakmechanism included in the counter actuating 50,

mechanism, so that the delivery 0! caps in relation to the switchmechanism controlled thereby is determined by the position or the partsor the counter actuating mechanism during each If there be a regular andcontinuous movement or the caps toward the container, the source ofpower will be uninterruptedly connected with the counter actuatingmechanism, but whenever there is an interruption in the feeding movementof caps, the power applied to the counter will be instantly interruptedand the counter actuating mechanism will remain idle until there has Istructed that the feeding of the caps or other articles and theapplication of power to the counter actuating mechanism will beautomatically interrupted upon the delivery of a predetermined number ofcapsor other articles to the container, this result being accomplishedby employing a well known form of counter mechanism including therein anelectrical control device which becomes operative when a predeterminednumber has been registered upon the counter, to stop the feedingmovement of the caps in relation to the electricalmechanism actuatedthereby to cause .the application of power to the counter. This stoppageof the machine permits removal of a filled container and thesubstitution of an empty container therefor, manually operative meansbeing provided whereby the counter controlled stop mechanism may be madeinoperative ,so as to permit a resumption of the normal functioning ofthe machine in delivering and counting caps or other articles.

The invention consists primarily in a counter actuating mechanismembodying therein an article delivery mechanism, a counter of the typehaving a stop mechanism operative following a predetermined number 'ofactuations of the counter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuouslyoperating source of power, co-operating clutch members, one of which isoperative upon said counter actuating mechanism, and the other of whichis actuated by said source of power, electrically actuated means wherebysaid clutch members may be made operative or .in-

operative, an electrical source, circuit means from said sourceincluding said electrically actuated means, and an electrical devicecontrolling said circuit, said device being associated with, andactuated by and in accordance with the position of an article in, saiddelivery mechanism, whereby the operative relation of an article to saidcontrol device will cause the operation of said electrically actuatedmeans to set said clutch members to transmit power to said counteractuating mechanism, and the passing of an article out of such operativerelation will cause the operation of said electrically actuated means todisengage such clutch members upon the completion of a cycleyand in suchother 'novel features of construction and combination of parts as arehereinafter-set forth and described and more particularly pointed out inthe claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic showing of a packaging machine embodying theinvention;

Fig'. 2 is a detailed view in elevation of the operative mechanisms ofthe machine;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section-on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

and

Fig. 5 is a view of the modified formof the controlling-device for thecircuit including the 5 clutch actuating means.

Like numerals'refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, theconstruction and ar- 10 rangement of parts is such as to adapt themachine to the packaging of bottle caps. In the drawings, I haveindicated at I0 a counter mechanism having progressively actuatedcounter wheels and circuit making connections by which 15 an electricalcircuit is closed when the wheels have reached a predetermined setting.This counter mechanism is old and well known in the art and may have awide range of structural variation. United States Letters Patent No. 01,001,409 discloses a counter of the general type referred to. Themechanism may be such as to afford a visual register of the number ofcaps being delivered or not, as'desired. The automatic electrical st'opmechanism actuated by the coun- 25 ter, elements in accordance with thepredeterof an electricmotor I! which affords a continuously operatingsource of power while the packaging machine is in operation. Power istransmitted from the motor l1 through the gear train l5 and 16 to theshaft II by means of a clutch mechanism comprising a member H3 in theform of a'ratchet wheel carried by and rotatable with r the gear I 5 andco-operating pawl l9 carried by an arm 20 secured to the shaft II. Thepawl I3 is pivoted to the arm 20 and is acted upon by a spring 2| havinga constant tendency to engage said pawl with said ratchet wheel.

Since continuous engagement of the pawl I9 with the ratchet l8- wouldensure the actuation of the counter with each revolution of the shaftII, it is necessary to provide means whereby said pawl is permitted tooperatively engage said ratchet wheel only when a closure cap or otherarticle has been properly fed so as to be delivered to a container, andis made inoperative to engage said ratchet wheel at all other timeswhile the machine is operating. Such means comprises two cams 22 and 23positioned adjacent the pe- 69 riphery of the ratchet wheel l8 insubstantially diametrically opposite relation to each other. These cams22 and 23 co-operate with an antifriction roller 24 carried by the pawll9, and are supported by a rock arm 25 pivoted at 26.

Said rock arm is electrically actuated by means of an electro-magnet 21having an armature 28 connected with the rock arm 25 by a link 29.

ment of said roller and when said electro-magwith the fixed contact .32.One terminal of the net'is de-energized, the cam 23 will be positionedout of, and the cam 22 will be positioned in, the path of said roller.The function of the lower cam 22 is to prevent-the setting of theclutchfunction of the cam 23 is to interrupt the o eration of thecounter actuating mechanism the event of the clogging of the deliverymecha-. nism or the'stoppage of the feeding movement of a cap therein.

In the operation of the machine, it is essential that the arm 25 receiveone full direct and return reciprocation as each cap is delivered to thecontainer and that its movements be accurately timed in relationto themovement of the caps in a manner to be more fully referred tohereinafter;

The circuit for energizing the electro-magnet 21 is derived from asource 30 shown as an ordinary electric battery, said circuit includingthere- 'in an electrical device associated with the article livery chutehas been found very efiectivein actual use of the machine.

Associated with the chute 3lis a fixed contact 32 and a movable contact33 exposed interiorlyof the chute through an opening in the bottomthereof. The movable contact 33 is sufiiciently flexible that the weightof a cap will engage it winding of the elctro-magnet 21 is connectedwith one terminal of the source 33bya line 34 and the other terminalof-the source is connected by a line 36 with the movable contact 33. Thefixed contact 32 is electrically connected with the other terminal ofthe winding of the electro-magnet by the line 35.

It will be noted that when the contact 33- is disengaged from the fixedcontact 32, the circuit tov the magnet 21 is interrupted and the cam 22will be in its lowermost position and when the weight of a cap or otherarticle engages the movable contact 33 withthe contact 32'; the magnet21 will be energized and the cam 22 will be in its elevated position, itbeing returned to its lowermost position immediately that a cap movesout of engaging relation with the contact v33.

A spring 31 acts upon. the arm 25 to ensure a desired rapid downwardmovement of said arm and of the cams 22 and 23 following thede-energizing of the magnet 21,

Pivotally mounted adjacent the delivery chute 3| is an escapement member33 having two fingers.39 and 43 projecting into the chute in engagingrelation with caps or other articles pass-- ing along same. Thefinger-43 when in its elevated position permits a cap or other articleto move into engagement with the movable contact 33, the other finger 23maintaining the cap in such engaging relation with the electricalcontrol device for a sufficient interval to ensure at least a one-halfrevolution of the shaft ll. During this interval the escap ment member33 willbe so rocked as todisengage the finger 33 from the cap or otherarticle, the finger 43 in the meanwhile being interposed in the path ofsue seeding caps or articles in the chute so as to prevent theirmovement toward the electrical control device until the completerevolution of the shaft is assured.

The escapement member 33 is actuated by means of an electro-magnet 4|,the armature 42 -of which isconnected by a link 43 pivotally connectedtherewith and with one end of the rocking escapement member 33. Actingupon the escapement member 33, through the link 43,-or in any otherdesired manner, is a spring 44.

As heretofore pointed out, the movement of the caps-or other articles inrelation to the electrical device controlling the circuit torthe magnet21 must be timed in relation to the operative moment of the counteractuating mechanism. A

slight dwell of a cap in engaging relation with go said device isrequired to permit movement of the roller 24 to a position where it canbe no longerengaged by the lower cam 22 before the de-energizing of themagnet 21 resulting from movement of the cap, can occur; and thesucceeding g5 cap must be restrained from movement into engagingrelation with the electric control device until after the roller 24 haspassed the upper cam 23, since the energizing of the magnet 21 'prior tothis time would result in the automatic release of the clutch mechanismand the interruption of the actuation of the countr.

To secure a proper timing in the actuation of the escapement member, Iinclude the winding of the magnet 41 in a circuit from the source 30, orany other desired source, which circuit also includes therein a fixedcontact 45 and a movable contact 43, the latter being actuated by meansof a cam 41 carried by a cam disk 43 preferably v formed of insulatingmaterial secured to and rotatable with the shaft "I I. The rise of thiscam is so positioned in relation to the roller 24 of the pawl l3 thatitoperatively engages the movable contact member 43 at an intervalfollowing the movement of said roller out of engageable relation withthe lower cam 22, and said cam 41 is of a length to maintain a closedcircuit by the contacts 45 and 46 until after the roller 24 has passedout of its operative relation to the upper cam 23. It is merelynecessary that. the setting 50 of the rise of the cam 41 shall be suchas to close the circuit to the winding of the magnet 4| after the shaftIi has been turned sumciently to 'avoid disengag ment of the pawl isfrom the ratchet wheel 13 by the cam 22, and that the magnet 4| shall bede-energized at a time to precludepossibility of the succeeding cap inthe delivery mechanism reaching its operative relation to the electricaldevice controlling the circuit to the magnet 21 before the roller 24 haspassed the 30 cam 23.

By this is meant that there is a certain time interval between thed'e-energizing of the magnet 4| and the movement of a cap from itsposition, determined by the engagement of the finger 43 c5 therewith, toits engaging relation with the mem-- ber 33 of the electrical controldevice. ll'his interval, however, is very short. since the machine ofthe invention is capable of developing a speed amounting to two hundredor more cycles per minute.

One terminal of the winding of the magnet 4| is connected by a lead 49with the source 33, and the other terminal of-said winding is connectedby a lead 53 with the fixed contact member 43,

the movable contact member 46 being connected by a lead 5| with theopposite pole of the source 30.

It will be noted that when the magnet 4| is energized, feeding of thecaps through the chute or other article delivering mechanism 3| isprevented. This enables me to utilize the escape ment mechanism toautomatically stop the delivery of caps or other articles by the machinewhen a predetermined number of such caps. as determined by themechanisms of the counter it, has been delivered to a container.

To accomplish this result, I connect the electrical mechanism of thecounter by a lead 52 with the source 30, and also connect this mechanismby a lead 53 and the lead 50 with the winding of'the magn-et'dl thecircuit being completed- 'through the lead 49 between the magnet 4L andthe source. With this wiring, the electrical mechanism of the counterill acts as a circuit control device maintaining the circuit, includingsame and the magnet 4|, open until the delivery of a predeterminednumber of caps has been registered upon the counter mechanism In,whereupon, irrespective of the position of all other mechanisms in themachine, the delivery of caps will be stopped in a manner to behereinafter referred to. Preferably, I provide in the length of the line53 a manually operative switch 54 which is normally closed but which may-be manually opened to re-start the operation of the machine followingthe removal of a full container, shown at 55 in Fig. 1, and thesubstitution of an empty container therefor.

Referring to Fig. 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated an electricalcontrol device which may be used in lieu of the cooperating contacts 32and 33- In this embodiment of the invention, I provide opposite sides ofthe chute 3| with alined openings, shown at 56 and. 51. Adjacent one ofthese openings, Iprovide a source of light 58, and adjacent the otheropening, a photo-electric cell 59 responsive to the light rays from saidsource. The cell 59 actuates a relay mechanism 60 controlling acircuitincluding therein the winding of the magnet 21. One of the leads 6| ofthe relay is connected with a source, such as 30,- and the other lead 62thereof is connected with one terminal of the winding of saidelectro-magnet 21,

;, the circuit being completedby the lead 34 from packaging same, themovable contact member 33 is provided with a portion 65 of insulatingmaterial to prevent short circuiting of the source through the metalshell of the container and the delivery chute.

The operation of the herein described machine is substantially asfollows:

The operation of the machine will be described in relation to its use inconnection with the packaging of bottle caps, it being understood thatin its use in connection with other articles, the delivery mechanismwill require modification to adapt it to use with such particulararticles.

In the drawings, the relation of parts is such as will occur immediatelyfollowing the operative engagement of a cap 63 with the movable 'contactmember 33. With this condition, the

continuously moving ratchet wheel.

magnet 21 is energized and the'arm- 2-5 is inits uppermost position as aresult of the movement of the armature 28 and the link 29. The cam 41 isout of engaging relation with the movable contact member 46 so that thecircuit for energizing 5 the magnet 4| is open. The lower cam 22 is inits elevated position so that the spring 2| is permitted to engage thepawl 19 with a tooth of the rachet wheel l8. The finger 39 of theescapement mechanism is in the path of movement of the cap 63 inoperative relation with the electrical device controlling the circuit tothe magnet 21, thus maintaining the cap 63 in the operative relation tothe control device.

As heretofore stated, the motor I1 is in continuous operation while themachine is in use and imparts continuous rotary movement to the ratchetwheel l8 so that immediately upon the engagement of the pawl I9 with oneof the teeth of said ratchet wheel, the arm and with it the 20 shaft ll,receives rotary movement from the motor l1 and the gear train connectingsame with the ratchet wheel I8.

Immediately following movement of the pawl IS a number of deg-recs inexcess of the degrees 5 in arc of. the cam 22, the rise of the cam41 bycontact with the movable member 46 engages it with the fixed contactmember 45, thus closing the circuit to the magnet 41. The energizing ofthis magnet, through the armature 42 and link 43, rocks the escapementmember 38 so as to move the finger 39 out of the path of the foremostcap 63 at the same time moving the finger 40 between said cap 63 and thesucceeding cap 64 thus permitting the escape of the foremost cap 63 butpreventing movement of the succeeding cap. In fact, the finger 46 byengagement with the cap 63 may be utilized to accelerate the dischargeof this cap. Immediately following this escapement movement and themovement of the foremost cap 63 out of engagement with the electricalcontrol device for the circuit including the magnet 21, this magnet isde-energized and the spring 31 draws the armature 28 and the arm 25downwardly so that when the pawl l9 approaches the upper center of theratchet wheel l8, the cam 23 will be in its lower position so as topermit continued movement of the arm 20 and shaft l I as a result ofcontinued engagementof said pawl with the The length of the cam 41 issuch that the mag net 4| will be continuously energized until after tionof the contact 46 from the contact 45, thus interrupting the circuitincluding the winding of the magnet 4| and permitting the armature to bemoved by the spring 44 in a manner to rock the escapement member 38 soas to move the finger 40 out of the path of the cap 64, affordingclearance for the descent of this cap by gravity into engaging relationwith the electrical device. controlling the circuit including thewinding of the magnet 21. This will occur during the final stage of therotation of the counter actuating 65 mechanism, which has been referredto.

it should occur that at this instant there is r in the chute in aposition to move into the relation to said control device, the magi notbe energized and the cam 22 will position, so that as the roller 24reaches this cam itwill. be moved out of engagement with theratchet-wheel l8 and thus permit aosaa'u i ately stop. By using aratchet wheel, notwith- To re-start the machine it is merely necessarystanding such a temporary stoppage of the counter actuating mechanism,immediately that a cap reaches the operative relation the couplingbetween the continuously rotating motor and the counter actuatingmechanism will be set. In this manner a hit-and-miss effect is secured,avoiding a slowing down of the machine to an extent beyond that which isunavoidable as. a result of 10.

variation in the movement of the caps inthe delivery mechanism. If thereshould be a considerable space between succeeding caps in the deliverymechanism, this would merely result in a delay in energizing the magnet27, so that the counter will not be actuated during this interval.

If for any reason the cap .63, following the actuation of the escapementmechanism by the energizing of the magnet 4i, should remain in operativerelation to the electrical control device,

the circuit to the magnet 21 will not be interrupted so that the cam 23will be held in its elevated position where it will be engaged by theroller 24 and cause disengagement of the pawl ill from the ratchet'wheel I8, thus releasing the clutch mechanism connecting the source ofpower with the shaft II and interrupting the actuation of the counterafter that cap 63 has been-registered thereon. During this continuedenergizing of the magnet 21, the cam 41 will be in its operativerelation to the contact 46 so as to con-.

tinue to energize the magnet M.

Upon the removal of the cap 63 from its engagement with the electricalcontrol device, the magnet 21 will immediately be de-energized, thuspermitting the spring 2| to engage the pawl l9 with the ratchet wheel soas to cause the resumption of the operation of the machine. This will befollowed by the interruption of the circuit including the magnet 4i.

Adverting to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, themode ofoperation is the same as that heretofore described, with the exceptionthat the energizing of the magnet 21 results from the actuation of therelay mechanism Gil-as a result of the interposition of a cap betweenthe light source 58 and the photoelectric cell 59, the deenergizing ofsaid magnet resulting from the passage of a cap from the path of therays emanating from said source of light.

It is obvious that whatever the form of electrical control deviceassociated with the article delivery mechanism, the operationof themachine will be the same.

While the machine is in operation the manually operative switchmechanism 54 is closed. The circuit in which this switch is included,however, is open untilthe counter H! has beenactuated a number of timescorresponding with the quantity of caps it is desired to pack. in acontainer.

-When the registered number of caps reaches this predetermined amount,the positionnf the control mechanism in the counter will close thecircuit including the counter, the switch 54 and the winding of themagnet 4 I, energizing this magnet and so positioning the finger Ml ofthe escapement mechanism as to interrupt the feed of the caps in thearticle delivery mechanism. When this occurs, the magnet 4l will becontinuously energized, so that the opening of the circuit controlled bythe contacts 45 and 46 will have no effect upon the escapementmechanism.

The interruption of the feeding .of the caps permits the operator toremove the filled container and substitute an empty container therefor.

for the operator to open the circuit including the counter l0, switchmechanism 54 and winding of the magnet 4| momentarily, since with thenext actuation of the counter this circuit ill be broken 5 at thecounter itself. The interruption of the circuit to permit. the spring 44to rock the escapement mechanism will permit the resumption of counteractuating mechanism.

The number of teeth upon the ratchet wheel i8 is immaterial exceptinsofar as the development of the desired speed in the actuation of themachine is concerned. 25

It is not my intention to limit the invention to'the precise details ofconstruction shown in the drawings, it being apparent that such aresubject to wide variation to adapt the machine for use with diflerent.articles; 30

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is:- 1. A machine 01 the class describedembodying therein an article delivery mechanism, a counter of the typehaving a stop mechanism operative following a predetermined number ofactuations of 'the counter, a counter actuating mechanism, acontinuously operating source of power, cooperating clutch members, oneof which is oper-' 40 ative upon said counter actuating mechanism, andthe other of which is actuated by said source of power, electricallyactuated means whereby said clutch members may be made operative orinoperative, an electrical source, circuit means from said sourceincluding said electrically actuated means, and an electrical devicecontrolling said circuit, said device being associated with,

- and actuated by and in accordance with the position of an article in,said delivery mechanism, whereby the operative relation of an article tosaid control device will cause the operation ofv said electricallyactuated means to set said clutch members to transmit powerv to saidoperating clutch members, one of which is operative upon said counteractuating mechanism, and the other of which is actuated by said sourceof power, electrically actuated means whereby said clutch members may bemade operative or inoperative, an electrical source, circuit means fromsaid source including said electrically actuated means, an electricaldevice controlling said circuit, said device :being associated with, andactuated by and in accordance with the position of an article in, saiddelivery mechanism, whereby the operative relation of an article to saidcontrol device will cause the operation of said electrically actuatedmeans to set said clutch members to transmit power to said counteractuating mechanism, and the passing of an article out of such operativerelation will cause the operation of said electrically actuated means todisengage suchclutch members upon the completion of a cycle, and meansoper ative upon said clutch mechanism, whereby in' the event of thefailure of an article to pass out of operative" relation to saidelectrical control device, said clutch mechanism will be released.

3. A machine of the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a counter of the type having a stop mechanismoperative following a predetermined number 01 actuations of the counter,a counter. actuating mechanism, a continuously operating source ofpower, a ratchet wheel connected with said source of power, a pawloperative upon said counter actuating mechanism, means normallypreventing engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel,

electrically actuated means, connections between same and said firstnamed means, an electrical source, circuit means from said sourceincluding said electrically actuated means, and an electrical devicecontrolling said circuit, said device being associated with, andactuated by and in accordance with the position of an article in saiddelivery mechanism, whereby when an article is in operative relation tosaid control device, engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel ispermitted, and when an article is not'in such operative relation, saidpawl will be disengaged from said ratchet wheel.

4. A machine 01 the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a

counter of the type having a stop mechanism. operative following apredetermined number of.

actuations of the counter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuouslyoperating source of power, a ratchet wheel connected with said source ofpower, a pawl operative upon said counter actuating mechanism,diametrically opposite cams adapted respectively to prevent or permitengagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel, electrically actuatedmeans, connections between same and said cams, an electrical source,circuit means from said source including said electrically actuatedmeans, and an electrical device controlling said circuit, said devicebeing associated with, and actuated by and in accordance with theposition of an article in,

said delivery mechanism; whereby when an article is in operativerelation to said control device, one or said cams will be positioned topermit engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel when said pawl isin operative relation thereto, and the other of said cams will bepositioned to disengage said pawl from said ratchet wheel when said pawlis in operative relation means whereby. said clutch members may be madeoperative or inoperative, an electrical s0urce, intermittently operativemeans controlling the movement of articles in said delivery' mechanismadjacent said electrically actu- 5 ated means, electrically actuatedmeans operative upon said intermittently operative means, separatecircuit means from said source including respectively said electricallyactuated means, a switch mechanism actuated by said counter 10 actuatingmechanism controlling the circuit to the electrically actuated meansoperativeupon said intermittently operative means, whereby the deliveryof articles is controlled by said counter actuating mechanism, and anelectrical device controlling the circutt to said first namedelectrically actuated means, said device being associated with, andactuated by and in accordance with the position of an article in, saiddelivery mechanism, whereby the operative relation of an article to saidcontrol device will cause the operation of said electrically actuatedmeans to set said clutch members to transmit power to said counteractuating mechanism, and the passing of an article out of such operativerelation will cause the operation of said electrically actuated means todisengage such clutch members upon the completion of a cycle.

6. A machine of the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a counter of the type having a stopmechanismoperative following a predetermined number of actuations of the counter,a counter tuating mechanism, a continuously operating source of power,-co-op-- crating clutch members, one of which is operative upon saidcounter actuating mechanism, and the other of which is actuated by saidsource of power, electrically actuatedmeans whereby said clutch membersmay be made operative or inoperative, an electrical source, anescapement member 40 having fingers controlling the movement of articlesin said delivery mechanism, an eiectro-magnet having an armature,connections between said armature and said escapement member, separatecircuit means from said source including respec- 5 tively saidelectrically actuated means and said magnet, a switch mechanism actuatedby said counter actuating mechanism controlling the circuit to saidelectro-magnet, whereby the delivery of articles is controlled by saidcounter-actuating mechanism, and an electrical device controlling thecircuit to said electrically actuated means, said device beingassociated with, and actuated by and in accordance with the. position ofan article in, said delivery mechanism, whereby the operativev relationof an article to said control device will cause the operation of saidelectrically actuated means to set said clutch members to transmit powerto said counter actuating mechanism, and the passing of an article outof such operative relation will cause the operation of said electricallyactuated means to disengage such clutch members upon the completion of acycle,

, 7. A machine of the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a counter of the type having a stop mechanismoperative 1 following a predetermined number of actuations of thecounter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuously operating sourceof power, a ratchet wheel connected with said source of power, a pawl 70.operative upon said counter actuating mechanism, means normallypreventing engagement of said pawl with saidratchet wheel, electricallyactuated means, connections between same and said first named means, anelectrical source, an escape- 7 ment member having fingers controllingthe movement of articles in said delivery mechanism, an electro-magnethaving an armature, connections between said armature and saidescapement member, separate circuit means from said source includingrespectively said electrically actuated means and said magnet, a switchmechanism included in the circuit to said magnet, a cam carried by andmovable with said counter actuating mechanism and co-operating with saidswitch mechanism, said cam being so positioned in relation to said pawlas to control the circuit to said electro-magnet following theengagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel and until said counterhas been actuated, whereby the delivery of articles is controlled bysaid counter actuating mechanism, and an electrical device controllingthe circuit to said electrically'actuated means, said device beingassociated with, and actuated by and in accordance with the position ofan article in, said delivery mechanism, whereby when an article is inoperative relation to said control device, engagement of said pawl withsaid ratchet wheel is permitted, and when an article is not in suchoperative relation, such engagement is prevented.

8. A machine of the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a counter of the type having a stop mechanismoperative following a predetermined number of actuations of the counter,a counter actuating mechanism, a continuously operating source of power,a ratchet wheel connected with said source of power, a pawl operativeupon said counter actuating mechanism, a rock arm adjacent said ratchetwheel supporting diametrically opposite cams adapted respectively toprevent or permit engagement'oi said pawl with said ratchet wheel, anelectro-magnet, connections between said magnet and said arm, anelectrical source, circuit means from said source including saidelectromagnet, and an electrical device controlling said circuit, saiddevice being associated with, and actuated by and in accordance with theposition of an article in, said delivery mechanism, whereby when anarticle is in operative relation to said control device, one of saidcams will be positioned to permit engagement of said pawl with saidratchet wheel, and the other of said cams will be positioned todisengage said pawl from said ratchet wheel before the completion of 'acycle, if an article has not passed from the operative relation to saidcontrol device, and said firstnamecl cam will be positioned to disengagesaid clutch members upon the completion of a cycle, if an article is notin operative relation to said control devices 9. A machine of the classdescribed embodying therein a delivery chute having an opening throughthe wall thereof, a counter of the type having a stop mechanismoperative following a predetermined number of actuations of the counter,a counter actuating mechanism, a continuously operating source of power,a ratchet wheel connected with said source of power, a pawl operativeupon said counter actuating mechanism, means normally preventingengagement-of said pawl with said ratchet wheel, electrically actuatedmeans, connections between same and said first named means, anelectrical source, an escapement members having fingers controlling themovement of articles in said delivery mechanism, an electromagnet havingan armature, connections between said armature and said escapementmember, separate circuit n eans from said source including respectivelysaid electrically actuated means and: said magnet, a switch mechanismincluded in the circuit to said magnet, a cam carried byand movable withsaid counter actuating mechanism, said cam being so positioned'inrelation to said pawl as to control the circuit to said electro-magnetfollowing the engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel and untilsaid counter has been actuated, whereby the delivery of articles iscontrolled by said counter actuating mechanism, 10 a fixed electricalcontact, and a movable electrical contact co-operating therewith andprojecting through the opening in said chute in engageable relation witharticles therein, whereby when an article engages said movable contact,engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel is permitted, and whenan article is not engaged therewith, such engagement is prevented.

10. A machine of the'class embodying therein 1 an article deliverymechanism, a counter of the type having a stop mechanism operativefollowing a predetermined number of actuations of the counter, arotatable shaft, connections between said shaft and said counter, a.continuously oper ating source of power, a ratchet wheel driven g5 fromsaid source of power and idly mounted uponsaid shaft, an arm carried byand rotatable with said shaft, a pawl thereon co-operating with saidratchet wheel, diametrically opposite cams adapted respectively toprevent or permit engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel, anelectro magnet having an armature, connections between said armature andsaid cams, a spring opposed to said magnet, an electrical source,circuit meansfrom said source including the winding of said magnet, andan electrical device controlling said circuit, said device beingassociated with, and actuated by and inaccordance with the position ofan article in, said delivery mechanism, whereby when an article is inoperative 4o:

relation to said control device, one of said cams will be positioned topermit engagement of said pawl with said ratchet wheel, and the other ofsaid cams will be positioned to disengage said pawl from said ratchetwheel before the comoperative following a predetermined number ofactuations of the counter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuouslyoperating source of power, co-operating clutch. members, one of. whichis operative upon said counter actuating mechanism, and the other ofwhich is actuated by said 0..-

source of power, electrically actuated means whereby said clutch membersmay be made oper ative or inoperative, an electrical source, circuitmeans from said source including said electrically actuated means, anelectrical device con- 55 trolling said circuit, said device beingassociated with, and actuated by and in accordance with the position ofan article in, said delivery mechanism, whereby. the operative relationof an arti-' cl'e to said control device will cause the opera-' 7 tionof said electrically actuated means to set said clutch members totransmit power to said counter actuating mechanism, and the passing ofan article out of such operative relation will cause the operation ofsaid electrically actuated means 15 to disengage such clutch membersupon the completion of a cycle, means whereby when said counter has beenactuated a predetermined number of times the movement of articles intothe operative relation to said electrical device will be prevented, andmanually operative 'means making said last named means inoperative.

12. A machine of the class described embodying therein an articledelivery mechanism, a counter of the type having circuit controllingmeans operative following a predetermined number of actuations of thecounter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuously operating sourceof power, co-operating clutch members, oneof which is operative uponsaid counter actuating mechanism, and the other of which is actuated bysaid source of power, electrically actuated means whereby said clutchmembers may be made operative or inoperative, an electrical source, anescapement member having fingers controlling the movement of articles insaid delivery mechanism, an electro-magnet having an armature,connections between said armature and said escapement member, separatecircuit means from said source including respectively said electricallyactuated means, the circuit controlling means of said counter and saidmagnet,

a switch mechanism actuated by said counter actuating mechanismcontrollingthe circuit to relation will cause the operation of saidelectrically actuated means to disengage suchclutch members upon thecompletion of a cycle, and a manually operative electrical switch in thecircuit including said magnet and the circuit controlling means of thecounter.

13. A machine of the class described embodying therein adeliverychutehaving an opening through the wall thereof, a counter of the type havinga stop mechanism operative following a predetermined number ofactuations of the counter, a

' rotatable shaft, connections between said shaft and said counter, acontinuously operating source of power, a ratchet wheel driven from saidsource I of power and idly mounted upon said shaft, an

arm carried by and rotatable with said shaft, a

pawl thereon co-operating with said ratchet wheel, diametricallyopposite cams adapted respectively to prevent or permit engagement ofsaid pawl with said ratchet wheel, an. electromagnet having an armature,connections between said armature and said cams, a spring opposed tosaid magnet, an escapement member having fingers controlling themovement of articles inhsaid delivery mechanism, an electro-magnethaving an armature, connections between said armature and saidescapement member, an electrical source, circuit means from said sourceincluding the windings of said magnets respectively, a switch mechanismincluded in the circuit to the magnet actuating said escapement member,a cam carried by and movable with said counter actuating mechanism, saidcam being so positioned in relation to said pawl as to control thecircuit including said switch mechanism fol- 5 lowing the engagement ofsaid pawl with said ratchet wheel and until said counter has beenactuated, whereby the delivery of articles is controlled by said counteractuating mechanism, a

fixed electrical contact and a movable electrical contact co-operatingtherewith and projecting through the opening in said chute in engageablerelation with articles therein, said last named contacts controlling thecircuit to the cam actuating electro-magnet whereby when an articleengages said movable contact, said electro-magnet is energized toactuate said cam to permit, engagement of said pawl with said ratchetwheel, and when an article is not engaged therewith, said electro-magnetis de-energized to move said cam in the path of movement of said pawl todisengage same therefrom upon the completion of a cycle.

14. A machine of the class described embodying therein a delivery chutehaving openings in the opposite sides thereof, a counter of the typehaving a stop mechanism operative following a predetermined number ofactuations of the counter, a counter actuating mechanism, a continuouslyoperating source of power, co-operat- 40 I ing clutch members, one ofwhich is operative upon said counter actuating mechanism, and

clutch members may be made operative or inoperative, an electricalsource, circuit means from said source including said v electricallyactuated means, a source of light adjacent one of the openelectric cell,said electrically actuated means will be operated to set said clutchmechanism and when an article passes out of such operative relation,said electrically actuated mechanism will be operated to release saidclutch mechanism.

BENNO COHN.

